The ultimate Shanghai bucket list for families

New to Shanghai, or simply looking for the next family-friendly thing to do? We have put together 25 unmissable items for that family bucket list. Check them out here.

Posted: Wednesday September 06 2017

Shanghai may not be perfect, but it’s certainly not lacking in the ‘fabulous things to do, eat or see’ department. Whether you’re just in Shanghai for a day or you and the family are lifers, these are the 25 activities not to miss while in town.

Illustrations by Mandy Tie.

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1. Soak up some local culture at Dashijie

While Shanghai’s often regarded as having less culture, than say Beijing, the newly reopened Dashijie helps close that gap a little. Three four-storey buildings and two wings house indoor theatres, several exhibition centres, two food halls and a cultural training centre. There’s so much for children to enjoy here from live outdoor

performances to digital art installations that let kids scan their own artwork onto display screens, making fabulous life-size drawings. Try a calligraphy class too, and don’t forget to save room for tasty local snacks from the food hall.

2. Rocket off into space at Shanghai Science & Technology Museum

The Shanghai Science and Technology Museum’s futuristic, cool and very much worth a visit – but we say skip the somewhat dated Animal World exhibit and head straight through to the World of Robots and Space Navigation Zone where kids will get to enjoy the museum’s more interactive displays. Same goes for the centre’s separate in-house exhibitions; move past the IWERKS 4D theatre and the non ticket- inclusive shows which can be hit and miss – you and the kids are better off focusing on areas of this huge space one at a time.

3. Go all out at Shanghai Disneyland on Children's Day

You might not have heard of Children’s Day before you moved to China but in the PRC it’s a really big deal. So big in fact that kids practically get bombarded with enough online promotions and sales discounts to warrant a second Christmas. Well, we say tune out the noise and just spend the day at Disneyland Shanghai. What better way to mark a public holiday all about children than being a kid again with your kids on the Tron, Pirates of the Caribbean and Roaring Rapids rides? Plus you get to savour those 'we’ve got a Disneyland in Shanghai’ bragging rights during trips back home.

4. Cheer on the Dragon Boat racers at Suzhou Creek

Blazing into the city every May or June, the spectacle of watching dragon boats race on Suzhou Creek is not to be missed. As part of the festival that marks the death of Quan Yu, a high-ranking minister and poet in the ancient state of Chu, the races symbolise the efforts to retrieve his body. Watch rowers in their auspicious, dragon-resembling boats while snacking on zongzi, the festival’s traditional glutinous rice treat.

To get to Suzhou Creek, take line 1 to Xinzha Lu and head out of exit 1, crossing Xinzha Lu to get to the creek. There are viewing spots from either sides of the creek at Zhong Yuan Liang Wan Cheng ( 中远两湾城 ) or at Meng Qing Yuan ( 梦清园 ).

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5. Pretend you're in Japan and check out the cherry blossoms in spring

You might be based in Shanghai but that doesn’t mean you can’t get away from time to time, even if it’s just spiritually. Make like you’re in Kyoto in March and visit one of Shanghai’s public gardens to take in its cherry blossoms. Lu Xun Park’s small but well-tended grove of cherry trees is a free option but if you don’t mind spending a little, head to Chenshan Botanical Garden’s dedicated cherry blossom area for some pretty pink selfies.

6. Cool down with a FamilyMart soft serve

It isn’t fancy stuff but a generous vanilla soft serve from FamilyMart is hard to beat during Shanghai’s sticky summer months, especially when it’s just 8RMB a cone.

Multiple locations around Shanghai.

Photo credit: Kong Tin Jun

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7. Try a wacky-flavoured qingtuan

April’s Qingming Festival, or Tomb Sweeping Day, isn’t complete without enjoying these sticky green glutinous rice balls that are hawked everywhere come the holiday. Wang Jia Sha offers red bean, black sesame and pork floss flavours. For the more adventerous there are also their durian, cherry blossom and bullfrog flavours if you and the kids are feeling more daring.

8. Binge on bings

Pan-fried, baked or grilled – the humble bing and its many variations are one of the country’s most popular breakfast street eats and for good reason. A Da on Maoming Lu turns out an excellent congyoubing, or scallion pancake. Run by Mr Wu for 34 years, hungry queues line up every morning for his goods. Get there early to be on the safe side, as Wu generally closes at 3pm or when he runs out, whichever comes first.

9. See the world from above at the SWFC

The city doesn’t lack for tall buildings and though the Shanghai Tower may be the shiniest, newest one to the fold, the 100-storey SWFC’s fantastic observatory and exhibition areas take the cake if you’ve got kids. For unobstructed views of Puxi and Pudong head to the sightseeing corridor or check out the exhibition area on the 94th floor which frequently runs a range of interesting offerings. When you’ve satisfied your inner shutterbug, descend to the first floor with free workshops and activities that are usually family-friendly. Past ones have included gardening classes, oil painting sessions and ‘lunch-time office worker concerts’.

Shanghai World Financial Center 100 Century Avenue, near Dongtai Lu, Pudong (3867 2008). Lujiazui. Open 8am-midnight daily. 180RMB for adults, 90RMB for children between 1-1.4 metres.

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10. Ride the Pearl Tower’s VR rollercoaster

Now with added VR, the Oriental Pearl Tower’s rollercoaster is a short but ‘why not’-type of experience for families. Once you’ve paid the 160RMB to get into the tower, ascend to the ‘Game City’ level and hop on the ride, which is an extra 70RMB per person. You’ll zip round the Lujiazui skyline via virtual reality and get a souvenir shot of you and the kids posing, mid-squeal.

11. Warm up with Mongolian hotpot in the winter

Winter can be a damp affair here so make sure you’ve a favourite hotpot joint earmarked for when the family needs warming up. There are always old favourites like Haidilao and AQ Shabu Shabu but we also like Minhang’s Moon Yurt branches. Owned by an Inner Mongolian restaurateur, hotpot options include an ‘Abu pot’ (‘Dad’s pot’) and a cold water lamb version where spring water is used to cure lamb before being served. Meat is all imported from Inner Mongolia’s Xilingol grasslands.

12. Experience Lantern Festival at Yuyuan Gardens

Insanely crowded it might be and during Spring Festival even more so but with good reason: Yu Gardens really does Chinese New Year right. Dazzling lighting displays adorn this genuinely beautiful space, with centrepieces revolving around the year’s new lunar zodiac sign. It all ends with the Gardens’ Lantern Festival where hundreds of lanterns are put on show to mark the final act of the festival – worth rolling up your sleeves and pushing through the hordes just to witness.

13. Worship the xiaolongbao

No Shanghai bucket list is complete without mentioning the all-mighty, transcendental xiaolongbao. For these explosive dumplings bursting with broth, head to local favourite Lin Long Fang on Jianguo Dong Lu. Twelve soup dumplings filled with crab meat, pork or salty egg yolk are yours for 16RMB, so a few steamers should be enough for parents and little ones. A tip for families: while the original location has old school vibes, it’s also small and can get a bit crowded – instead, head to the newer branch in SML Centre.

14. Eat a delicious mooncake

For Mid-Autumn Festival (and the run-up to it), the only thing you need to be concerned about is what kind of mooncake you’ll be trying. While Cantonese mooncakes are the versions most people are probably familiar with (soft with dense fillings) nearby Suzhou has a pastry-based, flaky version that’s also eaten and sold in Shanghai. These are meatier, more substantial takes on the popular cakes and still completely delicious. Try the ones at Xinhualou, established in 1851, where you can choose from rose and red bean paste, lotus paste with salty egg, coconut or beef.

15. Reinvent yourselves with bespoke threads at the Fabric Market

If your time in the city is coming to a close, don’t leave without getting something made at the South Bund Fabric Market. Once you’re in the building, look around for fabrics and stalls that have the material or deal with the item you want making (pants, suits, formal dresses) before selecting a maker. Tailors will also happily make or replicate

items for children and at a reasonable price – think matching mother and daughter qipaos for under 200RMB per dress.

16. Get up for morning tai chi training on the Bund

Early risers and not-so-early risers, try to make it down to The Bund for this one if you can. The famous landmark and Nanjing Dong Lu – two of the city’s busiest tourist destinations – are almost unrecognisable in the wee hours of the morning. Between sunrise and around 8am, they attract groups of (mostly) retirees from neighbouring residential buildings who use the streets as exercise and recreation yards. Watch residents performing tai chi, practicing with swords, playing badminton and flying kites.

The Bund Zhongshan Dong Lu, Huangpu district.

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17. Traverse the great Puxi-Pudong divide via ferry

Mentioning which of these two areas you reside in in Shanghai can be a conversation starter or killer. Say Puxi and talk will flow – say Pudong and there may be an awkward silence. But there’s no reason it needs to be this way, in our opinion; not only because both neighbourhoods rock but also because their geographical distances mean we get to take advantage of a smashing ferry service between them. For 2RMB, hop on from either side and watch the Pearl Tower glide by on the short, direct journey.We love jumping on at night when the city lights are brightest.

Ferries depart from Fuxing Dong Lu in Puxi and at Dongchang Lu Pier.

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18. Enjoy a Shanghai without people

While getting out of town during big public holidays is great, staying put means you get to take advantage of a quieter Shanghai. Book a hotel staycation with the kids and enjoy exploring the city’s suddenly tranquil lanes and parks on foot or bike. Though most restaurants and shops are closed, you can still order in or experiment with creating different gourmet creations from meal kit providers Xinwei Cook or Saucepan. And of course there’s always food delivery from places like Eleme and Sherpas.

19. People-watch at People's Park

Whether it’s outdoor ballroom dancing, clusters of elderly men playing dominoes or just old folk going about their morning routines, Shanghai’s parks deliver on the people watching aspect. While People’s Park is one of our favourites for a walk and a chilled-out day, it’s also where you’ll be able to check out the city’s famous marriage

market. Come for the quirkily dressed ayis and dogs, stay to watch parents checking out prospective partners for their children.

20. Take a family trip to Nanjing

Just an hour’s ride away from the city, we reckon Nanjing trumps other daytrip options mainly due to its sheer history and cultural attractions. Once you’re there, amble along the food street on Shiziqiao Lu, check out the Paleontology Museum or the Hongshan Forest Zoo and shepherd the kids over to the Ming Tombs for a mandatory dose of Chinese history.

Single train tickets to Nanjing start from 139RMB for adults and 69RMB for children, available on ctrip.com.

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21. Splash around in a waterpark

Every summer a flashy new waterpark opens in the Shanghai area, or at least it seems so from the adverts hitting metros and billboards around town. Not that we’re complaining; pool time is very welcome when the weather’s humid and sweltering. Head to Dino Beach in Minhang for its wave pool (the biggest in Asia) and numerous water slides. For somewhere less crowded, check out Sheshan’s loosely Mayan-themed Playa Maya centre or take the one-hour train trip to Hangzhou for its Paradise Park, a water and traditional theme park all rolled into one.

Dino Beach 78 Xinzhen Lu, near Gudai Lu (6478 3333). Hongxin Lu Station. Open 9am-10pm daily. 180-220RMB for adults, 150-180RMB for children. Free for children who are under 80cm.

22. Become a tea bluff

Have you really been in China if you don’t know your tea? Cook in Shanghai provides tours and cooking classes around town for adults that are informative and easy to drop in on. Tea tours take participants around local tea markets and see visitors learning to differentiate between pu’er, oolong and other varieties.

Cook in Shanghai (186 2178 2428; cookinshanghai.com).

The tea tour is 520RMB per person, which includes a tea tour (six people max), entry to markets, tea tasting and a cooking class.

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23. Strut your musical talent at one of the music festivals

Kids with a passion for all things music should definitely take part in the Midi Arts Program’s annual band competition. The Beijing-based organisation runs a China-wide individual and battle of the bands tournament that sees quarter-finals being held in Shanghai and Suzhou, amongst other cities, culminating in the final competition at a chosen Chinese city in December.

For more details and information on how to register, follow 'midikids' on WeChat.

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24. Get in the (Shanghai) holiday spirit

While Christmas markets certainly aren’t a Shanghai tradition of the ages, in the modern-day city, they’ve become something of an institution. Although there are tons of festive markets to choose from come December by far our favourites are Shanghai’s German bazaars. The Paulaner Christkindlmarket offers up great vendors, while the German Christkindlmarkt in Tonglefang comes with choir singing and a crib with live animals. For opening times check timeoutshanghai.com closer to the holiday season.

25. Feel like a flâneur in the Former French Concession

Shanghai’s got some pretty impressive high rises and skyscrapers (see number one on our bucket list). Plus, Bund-side rooftop bars with amazing views are always pleasant, if you like that kind of thing. But we save our sighs for the Former French Concession area, whose elegant, tree-lined streets never fail to bring out our inner romantics. Take a weekend promenade with the kids, first stopping by the Art Deco Wukang Lu Tourist Information Center where you can check out models of Concession buildings, look at photos of historical Shanghai and pore over maps for self-guided walking tours in the area.

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